LET GO!! IT’S OFFICIAL: SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY HIJACK EVERTON TARGET TO SIGN ESLI GARCIA ON PRE-CONTRACT
Sheffield Wednesday have pulled off a surprise transfer coup, confirming they have agreed a pre-contract deal with promising Goiás Esporte Clube forward Esli Garcia – a player who had been identified as a key target by Everton.
The 20-year-old Brazilian will join the Owls in the summer when his contract with the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A side expires, bringing to a close months of speculation over his future. Everton had been monitoring Garcia closely since early 2025, but Sheffield Wednesday moved swiftly to secure the forward’s signature ahead of their Premier League rivals.
Sheffield Wednesday head coach Henrik Pedersen has hailed Garcia’s decision to choose Hillsborough over Goodison Park, describing it as a clear indication of the club’s growing appeal to top young talent.
“Esli’s choice to come to Sheffield Wednesday instead of Everton is something we’re incredibly proud of,” said Pedersen. “It shows that our vision for the future – building a team that combines experience with exciting young prospects – is resonating with players across the globe. We’ve demonstrated our commitment to giving young talent the chance to develop and play first-team football, and Esli has recognised that this is the ideal place for him to take the next step in his career.
“He may have limited minutes so far at senior level, but we’ve seen enough to know he has exceptional potential. His movement off the ball is intelligent beyond his years, and he possesses both the pace and technical ability to cause defenders real problems. We’re excited to work with him and help unlock his full capabilities.”
During the 2025 season with Goiás, Garcia made 11 appearances, totaling 242 minutes of game time and scoring one crucial goal. Despite his limited opportunities in the first team, his performances in training and brief cameos caught the eye of scouts across Europe, with his versatility to play across the front line adding to his appeal.
Sheffield Wednesday’s director of football, Darren Moore, added: “Our recruitment team has done outstanding work to track Esli’s progress and secure this deal. We’ve built strong connections in Brazilian football, which allowed us to move quickly when the opportunity arose. The agreement includes a fair sell-on clause for Goiás, and we’re confident Esli will become an important part of our squad as we look to establish ourselves at the top end of the Championship and push for promotion.”
The length and financial details of Garcia’s contract have not been made public, though it is understood to include clauses linked to appearances and goal contributions.
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